As we left the Provo, we visited Mary before we went. Drove through Thistle Canyon and went to Mt. Plerasant where we went to the cemetary. We stopped at the little drive-in there and bought hamburgers and milk shakes and took then to eat at the cemetary by our two children who are buried there.........Mark and Allison............meandered around a little there to see MorRae's and Dave's parents and grandparents as well...........sweet and tender visit there. Drove on down to Moab where we spent the night.

Leaving the MTC was sad.........we became attached to our young teachers who were extremely sharp and so kind and loving to us......This was one of Elder Hafen's favorites! He came to say a final goodbye as we were loading to leave Friday morning...........

This is One Fantastic Experience!!

We survived our first week - pretty intensive and packed every minute of the day.......we have loved it all. It has been filled with laughter and tears as we have shared lives and learning. The Missionary Training Center is a miracle in itself - we just sit and marvel as we watch all that transpires here - from feeding everyone here - listening to languages in every tongue....watching young men and women who totally dedicate themselves and those Senior Couples like us who have left much to come as well............We have had wonderful experiences together and find total joy in serving together. If there is one piece of advice we could give to people it would be "SENIOR COUPLES GO NOW!!!" You are truly needed. In our group that came in with us we have two medical doctors going to Nauvoo, and Australia, Single Sisters going to Germany, North Carolina, Auditing directors going to Germany, facility management for Palmyra New York, several couples going to Welfare - Employment Specialist, and a couple going to Jordan where he will be a District Leader for Jordan, Egypt, Syria........it has been wonderful to get to know them all and to share this week together.

We appreciate again so much the prayers in our behalf - we feel strength by your love and prayers. We have received emails - cookies (which we shared with our District and teachers today) and notes. One cute note where the Ralph family was discussing where we were - Marcus said......They are in the "Empty Sea"? I thought they were going to Arizona!!" Ha ha! We shared that with our group and it traveled around the (Empty Sea = MTC - Missionary Training Center)! Everyone loved it and it lifted spirits.............